Dacia Duster Clinches Podium in Rallye Aicha des Gazelles 2011

After last year it managed to claim victory in the crossover class of the Rallye Aicha des Gazelles, a competition held in Morocco, the Duster off-road racer managed to stay competitive this year as well, clinching second place on the podium.Team 318 won the eco-driving Logica challenge, which rewards the team who has used the least fuel during the race.

Two of the other wight participants from the Women@Renault network – from France, Belgium, and Morocco – took third and fourth place in the Crossover category.

“We developed a real sense of team spirit with the other Women@Renault teams and the three technicians who were following us throughout the rally. Although that doesn’t change the technical difficulties of the event, it creates a sense of support and gives you the energy to keep going,” stated Sylvie Delcour and Marie Speeckaert, team 318, second in the overall rankings in the Crossover category and winners of the eco-driving Logica challenge.

“We found the rally really tough overall, but we’re delighted to have done so well. Being on the podium is the cherry on the cake!” said Claire Oberti and Julie Salameire, team 315, third in the overall rankings in the Crossover category and winners in the “First entry” category for Crossover vehicles.

The Rallye Aicha des Gazelles is a woman-only off-road competition that challenges gazelles (this is how the rally’s participants are called) to cover the shortest distance possible, rather than drive as fast as they can, only allowing them to use a compass and two maps.